Dierama spp.

Angel's fishing rod

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

HardinessZones 7–9

Overview

Dierama spp. is a genus of about 44 evergreen, cormous perennials in the family Iridaceae, native to grasslands of eastern and southern Africa. Plants form dense clumps of narrow, grass-like leaves 1.5-3 feet (45-90 cm) long, from which tall, wiry, arching flowering stems rise to 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m). The stems bend under the weight of pendulous, bell- to funnel-shaped flowers 0.8-1.6 inches (2-4 cm) long, each backed by papery silvery bracts. Flower colour spans pink, rose, magenta, purple, coral, and white across the genus, with D. pulcherrimum in deep pink to wine-red and D. pendulum in paler pink. Corms stack vertically over time, the old corms persisting beneath the active one. Plants grow from fibrous-rooted corms and settle slowly after transplanting, with seedlings taking three to five years to reach flowering size. The arching stems and hanging flowers move continuously in wind, the trait behind the common name angel's fishing rods.

Native Range

Dierama spp. is native to eastern and southern Africa, from Ethiopia south through the highlands to South Africa, where most species grow in moist mountain and coastal grassland. The centre of diversity lies in the summer-rainfall grasslands of South Africa.

Suggested Uses

Used in mixed and gravel borders, beside ponds and streams, and in large containers where the arching stems can sway freely. The evergreen clumps suit coastal and prairie-style plantings in mild-winter regions.

How to Identify

Recognised by clumps of stiff, narrow grass-like evergreen leaves and tall wiry stems that arch over and carry pendulous bell-shaped flowers on thread-like pedicels. Silvery papery bracts wrap each bud, and spent flowers leave dry papery capsules along the arching stem. The combination of evergreen iris-like foliage and hanging bells on 3-6 foot (0.9-1.8 m) stems distinguishes it from Gladiolus spp. and Crocosmia spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 6'

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer

Flowering occurs in summer, mainly June to August in the Northern Hemisphere, with each clump producing a succession of arching stems over several weeks. Individual flowers are short-lived, but the staggered opening along the stem extends the display. In mild climates scattered flowering can continue into early autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pink, rose, magenta, purple, coral, or white

Foliage Description

grey-green to mid-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years from seed to first flower

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Dierama spp. grows in full sun in deep, moisture-retentive but free-draining soil enriched with organic matter, drawing on summer moisture during active growth. Most species tolerate winter wet poorly and rot in cold, saturated ground, so sharp drainage matters in cool climates. Established clumps are drought-resistant once the corm stack runs deep. Plants are slow to settle after transplanting and flower more freely when left undivided for several years. Frost-hardy to around 15F (-9C) in cold-tolerant species, with foliage damaged below that; in colder zones plants are grown in sheltered positions or in containers moved under cover for winter. Spring feeding and steady moisture through the growing season support flowering.

Pruning

Spent flowering stems can be cut to the base after the papery capsules form, unless seed is wanted. Evergreen foliage is left in place, with dead or frost-damaged leaves combed out by hand in spring. Division is avoided where possible because plants re-establish slowly.

Pruning Schedule

fall